The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Deschutes Land Trust with the 2013 Nonprofit of the Year award last Friday, February 21 at their Annual Masquerade Ball. The Sisters Chamber presented seven awards to recipients that "go above and beyond the call of duty in their day-to-day business, volunteer efforts and more to make Sisters Country a better place to live, work and play."

"We're truly honored to be recognized as the 2013 Sisters Country Nonprofit of the Year," said Deschutes Land Trust executive director, Brad Chalfant. "The work we've accomplished, including the conservation and restoration of Whychus Creek at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, has been a community-wide effort. The fact that the Sisters community has strongly supported our mission and our ongoing partnership with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce further underscores that a healthy, resilient economy and a healthy, resilient environment go hand in hand. We're honored by this award and look forward to continuing our work with the community to protect the best of Central Oregon."

Other winners included Bob Collins and Cal Allen, Volunteers of the Year; Chris Wilder, Citizen of the Year; Blazin' Saddles Cycle-N-Style, Business of the Year; and Brett Miller of the Wounded Warrior Project who won the Pioneering Spirit award.

The awards were determined through a nomination process that is open for all of the Sisters community at the end of each calendar year. A committee of previous award winners then reviewed the nomination and selected the final winners. Learn more about the Sisters Chamber.